Two things for today: Starting tomorrow, I will be once again attempting Camp Nanowrimo. I can be found on their site as aacheshire, if you want to see what I'm up to over there. This Camp session, I am working on the sequel to the novel being released in August 2021. Also... trying to write anything during record setting high temperatures is hard. I'm melting here in a place where AC is deemed 'unnecessary'. If you have cooler weather (better yet, rain) please send it to the Pacific Northwest.
0 Comments
I have a new Cemen Colony novel coming out August 2, 2021. The ebook is currently available to pre-order via Smashwords and should be coming soon to your preferred ebook retailer. To pre-order a paperback, contact Howling Wolf Books. This is the first book in a new set of Cemen Colony novels, which take place towards the end of and after Experiment Redemption. The second book in this set is slated to be my Camp Nanowrimo project this coming July, so it could be a while before that is ready for publication. President Donovan Gayre achieved a major political victory when Angelita, Crown Princess of Estorika, handed over her birthright and acknowledged his government. But the new Republic of Arawn remains a devastated land, barely able to support its citizens. There is hope for the land itself in the work of one young scientist and Donovan Gayre has been planning big changes behind the scenes for years. Provided the newly recognized government can maintain the ground they've gained thus far. Brevon, 14-09-48-06-04sm
The sky outside the classroom window is clear blue. No clouds to be seen and a brightly shining sun. Inside the classroom, a girl in her early teens with short blonde braids and eyes as blue as the sky stares out. "Rain!" The girl makes a sour face as she drags her gaze from the window. "Finish your work. This is class time." Rain scowls at the workbook open on the desk. Absently, her fingers toy with her pencil. Her eyes remain on her book only as long as she can feel the teacher's eyes on her. Then her gaze returns to the sky out the window. Twice more, the teacher attempts to recall the girl's attention to her work before finally dismissing the whole class. Rain is slow to replace her books and supplies in the drawer which she then carries to a cabinet in a corner of the classroom. The others have already put their drawers away and left. The teacher watches with a mixture of frustration and impatience as Rain slowly slides the drawer into place and closes the cabinet doors. Then the girl slips from the room and encounters her mother in the hall outside. "Rain," The woman looks both reproving and resigned as she reaches out to brush a stray strand of hair from her daughter's face, "There's something I want you to see." "Okay." The girl trails her mother out of the building and along the street. When they reach the building known as town hall, Rain finds herself ushered into a large conference room crowded to standing room only. The girl quickly works her way into a corner where she can only just see the projection on one end wall. For the moment, it's nothing more than a rectangle of light. Then a woman in a lab coat whom Rain absently identifies as Doctor Rosalia Aurick, who is in charge of Brevon, steps into the light. "This recording was made earlier today and sent out to all corners of the world. We want to share it with you because it means changes to the way we've been operating as well as affecting your options once you're finished here. Once you have seen this, I will do my best to address any questions you may have." Doctor Aurick steps out of the way as images begin to appear on the wall. What appears to be an open air auditorium is crowded with people wearing a nearly equal mixture of business suits and uniforms of various kinds. The camera pans across the assembly before zooming in on the platform where various dignitaries are talking to each other and taking seats. Among them is a young orange and white striped winter tiger, which settles at the feet of one man once he is seated. Rain studies the tiger curiously until the camera moves away from it. And then the camera settles on a man in a suit standing at the podium and audio finally kicks in. "Good morning and welcome to everyone here," The sound system squeaks and crackles, "Donovan Gayre, president of our provisional government has an announcement to make." The man at the podium steps back so the man accompanied by the winter tiger can take his place. He surveys the crowd for a moment before speaking, "Yesterday I was invited to attend a meeting of great importance to this country's future. A meeting requested by Angelita, the last crown princess of the monarchy of Estorika. In the presence of witnesses representing the other monarchies and the Pleasure Society, Angelita granted me this," He holds up an old gold locket on a chain, "The birthright locket of the monarchs of Estorika..." The crowd erupts. Some are cheering. Others look angry. Many are calling out questions. Aides on the platform indicate for everyone to settle down and allow President Gayre to finish. "In doing so," He tucks the locket away, "I am granted the power to declare this government no longer provisional, but permanent. The other powers of this world must now treat with this government as an equal. We will eventually be able to open our borders to trade and travel. We are now the Republic of Arawn." There are far more cheers from the crowd at this. "In the coming days," President Gayre continues, "Many things will begin to change. As these changes take place, they will be announced to you. One thing I want to make plain now: There is not, nor will be, any attempt made to reestablish a monarchy in this country. There is no need for continued anti-monarchy activity now." Evidently not everyone in the crowd agrees, but the aides on the platform are quick to signal for silence again as President Gayre bows his head and returns to his seat. Now another man steps up to the podium. This one has a much more regal bearing. "I am Malcolm Burren, official heir to the Pleasure Society Chancellor, speaking on behalf of the current Chancellor." The crowd doesn't appear to know what to make of this. "A representative of the Pleasure Society Chancellor was present as witness at a meeting between Angelita Regina of Estorika and Donovan Gayre, president of the provisional government. At that meeting, the birthright of the monarchs of Estorika was handed over and the monarchy of Estorika declared to be history. We of the Pleasure Society look forward to many years of mutually beneficial dealings with representatives and citizens of the Republic of Arawn." Malcolm Burren returns to his seat as the camera cuts out and the screen returns to being a rectangle of light. "A representative of?" Someone in the crowded conference room sounds puzzled. "Natalia Burren," Doctor Aurick steps in front of the screen again, "Along with Monarch Reginald of Norsecount. There is no question as to the legitimacy of this announcement." "So Experiment Redemption?" Someone else queries. "Quite likely will be phased out as current participants complete the program and graduate. But nothing has been announced for certain on that score." "They're certain it was really Angelita?" Yet another person sounds skeptical. "Angelita's presence as a participant in Experiment Redemption was confirmed two years ago," Doctor Aurick looks bemused, "But kept under wraps for her safety. Even now, I cannot tell you which group or location... beyond not here at Brevon." Others have questions, but Rain slips around the edge of the room and out into the hall. From there, she walks over to the staff quarters, to the suite she shares with her mother. Knowing her mother had remained in the conference room, Rain goes into her bedroom and picks up the novel from the night stand. Opening it, she curls up on her bed to get lost in the story.
|
AuthorAlexandra A. 'Lexa' Cheshire is the author of numerous novels and short stories published through Howling Wolf Books. Lexa is a wife, mother, cat owner, and music lover. Archives
January 2024
Categories
All
|